Doing laundry can feel like a new job when you have a baby, and choosing the right detergent is crucial to avoid any irritation or breakouts on your baby’s delicate skin. While it may be tempting to opt for the cheapest option, not all detergents are suitable for babies.
It’s essential to pay attention to the detergent’s formula and ingredients, ensuring it is free of fragrance and dyes. Fortunately, there are many baby laundry detergents on the market that are specifically formulated to be gentle and effective for use on infants’ clothing and linens.
We have carefully assessed various baby detergents based on their design, formula, price, and ingredients. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best baby laundry detergents, including hypoallergenic and plant-based options, to meet the specific needs of both you and your baby.
Our Top Picks
- Best For Newborns: Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Liquid Detergent
- Best Fragrance-Free: ATTITUDE Little Ones Laundry Detergent
- Best Baby Laundry Detergent Pods: Dropps Baby Laundry Detergent Pods
- Best For Sensitive Skin: Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Best For Cloth Diapers: Rockin’ Green Natural Laundry Detergent Powder
- Best Baby Laundry Detergent For Eczma: all Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Best Natural Baby Laundry Detergent: Molly’s Suds Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder
- Best Organic Baby Laundry Detergent: Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
- Best Eco-Friendly Baby Laundry Detergent: ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent
- Best Refillable: Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent Refill
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Laundry Detergents Picks
Dreft Stage 1: Newborn Liquid Detergent – Best For Newborns
- Will make baby clothes brand as new
- Smells really good
- Able to remove stains
- Not just for babies
- They put a lot of perfume in this detergent
Dreft is a well-known laundry detergent that has been used for over 80 years to effectively and gently clean onesies and other baby clothes. It is highly recommended by pediatricians for infants with sensitive skin. In addition to machine washing, it works great for hand-washing delicates.
However, keep in mind that it does have a mild baby detergent scent, so if you prefer a fragrance-free option, you may want to consider other alternatives. Dreft is also hypoallergenic and dye-free, making it a safe choice for your baby’s delicate skin. As a bonus, the Dreft container is made with at least 25% recycled plastic.
ATTITUDE Little Ones Laundry Detergent – Best Fragrance-Free
- Vegan
- No fragrance
- Cleans really well
- One of the safest baby detergents
- A little pricey
The Attitude Little Ones Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent is an eco-friendly alternative that we highly recommend. It is not only effective in cleaning baby clothes but also vegan and cruelty-free. This product is completely odorless and fragrance-free and is free of any by-products or substances that may cause cancer.
It requires only a small amount for a regular load, and is CO2-neutral, having no impact on climate change. However, this detergent is only available in a very small container, as opposed to the larger economy bottles found in big box stores.
Dropps Baby Laundry Detergent Pods – Best Baby Laundry Detergent Pods
- Cleans well
- No harmful chemicals
- Zero waste
- Good for washing in hot or cold water
- You may need to use more than 1 pod depending on the stains
The Dropp concentrated pods are a game-changer for laundry with a baby in tow. With one hand, you can easily and precisely drop a pod into the machine. These hypoallergenic and plant-based pods contain no dyes, fragrances, chlorine, phosphates, or brighteners, making them an ideal choice for households with sensitive skin.
The EPA recognizes them as a Safer Choice due to their unique chemical composition. Dropps designed these pods to effectively clean cloth diapers, swaddles, burp cloths, and other baby items.
Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent – Best For Sensitive Skin
- It gets clothes clean
- Gentle on skin
- Mild fragrance
- Works in all temperatures
- Tiny measurement indicators on the green cap
The Seventh Generation Natural 4X Concentrated Laundry Detergent is one of the best due to its ability to remove stains from both baby and adult clothing. This USDA-certified, biobased detergent is four times concentrated for powerful stain-fighting abilities while still being eco-friendly and gentle.
It is free of artificial fragrances, dyes, and brighteners, making it ideal for washing baby clothes, towels, and bedding. While the liquid formula receives a “C” ranking from EWG, the powder receives an “A.” If you prefer a purer option and your machine and water can handle it, you may want to opt for the powder version.
Rockin’ Green Natural Laundry Detergent Powder – Best For Cloth Diapers
- Safe for cloth diapers
- Preserves colors
- Removes stains
- No brighteners
- Strong smell
After conducting extensive research, we have determined that this particular brand is the optimal choice for washing cloth diapers. It performs exceptionally well, thoroughly rinsing out, preventing fiber blockage, and completely cleaning the diapers.
Depending on the care instructions for the garments being washed, they can be used in either hot or cold water. It is biodegradable and free from additives, dyes, and brighteners, all of which may irritate your child’s delicate skin. Furthermore, it is vegan and cruelty-free.
If you dislike or have trouble tolerating strong scents, be cautious; you may find the Rockin’ Green laundry detergent fragrance to be somewhat overwhelming or harsh, even though it is not synthetic.
all Liquid Laundry Detergent – Best Baby Laundry Detergent For Eczema
- It’s unscented
- It’s concentrated so it doesn’t take much to do a load of laundry
- Decent stain lifter
- It leaves out clothes smelling fresh and clean
- Has a slightly pleasant smell
If you or your child has eczema, it’s crucial to find a formula that has been approved by a dermatologist. The number one brand dermatologists recommend for sensitive skin is this all Free Clear formula. This formula has undergone extensive testing and is fragrance and dye-free, making it gentle enough for delicate skin. Plus, it’s also hypoallergenic and effortlessly removes dirt and grime without being harsh.
Molly’s Suds Unscented Laundry Detergent Powder – Best Natural Baby Laundry Detergent
- Light peppermint scent
- Can be used in hard or soft water
- No harsh chemicals
- Great for sensitive skin
- Spills easily if you’re not careful
Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder offers excellent value with 120 loads in one package. It is a perfect choice for infants as it is organic and environmentally friendly. The detergent is both powerful and gentle, containing only five components, all of which are safe and natural.
Certified vegan-friendly organic peppermint essential oil provides a pleasant aroma that rinses clean and does not leave a strong fragrance on clothing. This detergent works equally well in conventional and high-efficiency washing machines, with either hot or cold water.
Additionally, this detergent is highly concentrated, requiring only one tablespoon per load to effectively clean clothes, even in hard water.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap – Best Organic Baby Laundry Detergent
- Foams up great
- The smell is fantastic (hint of cherry)
- Clean ingredients
- Removes stains well
- Pricey
For an all-natural solution to your household cleaning needs, look no further than this organic and vegan castile liquid soap. It’s versatile and can be used to clean laundry, and dishes, and even as an ingredient in DIY all-purpose cleaners for your home.
Dr. Bronner’s website provides precise instructions for diluting soap for various recipes to help you clean your entire home in an eco-friendly way. Plus, this detergent has been given an “A” rating from the EWG, so you can trust that the ingredients are safe for your growing family.
ECOS® Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent – Best Eco-Friendly Baby Laundry Detergent
- Cleans well
- No strong smells
- Biodegradable
- Great for stains
- Not suitable for cloth diapers due to softener
This laundry detergent is a safe choice for infants with allergies because of its hypoallergenic properties, and you can trust both the product and the manufacturing process. The bottle is recyclable and produced using only renewable energy, making it an environmentally friendly option.
It can be used in both conventional and high-efficiency washers and contains plant-based, sustainable, biodegradable, and cruelty-free ingredients. Additionally, the detergent has a built-in fabric softener, so you don’t need a separate product to keep your baby’s clothing soft.
Puracy Liquid Laundry Detergent Refill – Best Refillable
- Smells great
- Eco-friendly
- Leaves baby clothes clean
- Easy to use
- The pump bottle design wastes some of the product since it will leave some on the bottom, un-pumpable
Puracy claims that its free and clear laundry detergent is the most concentrated one in the market, reducing waste by more than 80%. They claim that most loads require only two pumps of detergent for effective cleaning.
This hypoallergenic refill detergent is specially formulated for babies with sensitive skin and allergies, containing 99.4% natural ingredients. Its plant-based enzymes effectively fight stains, eliminate odors, and preserve fabric colors, without containing harmful chemicals such as phosphates, sulfates, perfumes, or artificial scents.
How To Choose The Best Baby Laundry Detergent?
- Washing Machine: Ensure that the laundry detergent you choose for your high-efficiency washing machine is approved for use. A “HE” symbol on the detergent’s packaging indicates that it is safe to use in high-efficiency washing machines. High-efficiency detergents (HE) produce less foam, rinse more thoroughly, and do not harm your high-efficiency washing machine.
- Fragrance-Free: Fragrance-free baby washing detergent is different from unscented. Detergent that is fragrance-free has no scent at all. Unscented indicates that the scent has been masked. However, if you want a faint scent and your baby’s skin is not sensitive, you may choose a scented detergent.
- Hypoallergenic: When purchasing a baby detergent, one of the best qualities to look for is a hypoallergenic blend. Hypoallergenic detergent formulas are typically gentler on skin types with sensitive tolerances because they contain fewer allergenic ingredients.
- Dye-Free: In addition to a hypoallergenic formula, many parents and caregivers should choose dye-free detergent. Many detergents are colorless or transparent because they lack colors, making them ideal for washing delicate items such as baby clothing and bedding.
- Ingredients: Try to avoid harsh chemicals and opt for natural, plant-based ingredients instead. Many baby detergents also include enzymes to help remove tough stains and odors.
- No Brighteners: Brighteners are chemicals that stay in the fabric and absorb the sun’s UV rays to make colors appear “brighter.” This is purely for cosmetic purposes and has no impact on the cleanliness of the clothing. To reduce chemical exposure, skip brighteners.
Types Of Baby Laundry Detergents
- Liquid: These are popular for their ease of use and are commonly used in high-efficiency washing machines. They are pre-dissolved, making them easy to use, and are readily available in most stores.
- Powdered: A more traditional form of laundry detergent. They come in boxes and are added to the washing machine in measured quantities. The powder formula is great for removing stubborn stains, and it often dissolves better in hot water.
- Pods: These are convenient and easy to use. The pre-measured packs of detergent are simply dropped into the washing machine with the clothes, and they dissolve during the wash cycle. It is important to keep all detergent pods out of reach of babies, as they can cause serious harm or even death if swallowed (1).
Do You Really Need Special Detergent For Babies?
Yes, it is recommended to use a special detergent for babies, especially for newborns and infants with sensitive skin. Baby skin is delicate and more susceptible to irritation and allergic reactions. Regular laundry detergents may contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can cause skin irritation, rashes, or other health problems.
Approximately 10% of children in the United States are affected by eczema, and a third of those cases are considered moderate to severe, according to statistics (2). Baby laundry detergents are specially formulated to be gentle and free of harsh chemicals and fragrances, making them a safer and more suitable option.
When Can I Stop Using Baby Detergent?
There is no specific age when you should stop using baby detergent and switch to regular laundry detergent. As long as your child has sensitive skin or allergies, you may continue to use baby detergent or a detergent formulated for sensitive skin. However, if your child does not have any skin issues, you may consider switching to a regular laundry detergent when they are around one year old. At this point, their skin is generally less sensitive and better able to tolerate the ingredients in regular laundry detergents.
Is It Better To Get An Unscented Detergent For My Baby?
Yes, it is generally better to choose an unscented or fragrance-free detergent for your baby. Fragrances and dyes can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially in babies with sensitive skin. Unscented detergents are free from added fragrances, while fragrance-free detergents have no scent at all and are a safer option for babies with allergies or eczema (3).
How Often Do You Wash Baby Clothes?
It is recommended to wash baby clothes after every use, especially during the first few months when babies have more frequent feedings and diaper changes. Babies also have sensitive skin, and washing their clothes frequently helps to remove any irritants or allergens that may have accumulated on the fabric. As babies grow and become more active, their clothes may require even more frequent washing due to spills, spit-up, and other messes. It is always a good idea to have several changes of clothing on hand, so you have a fresh outfit ready when needed.
